2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 vs. 2018 Lexus GX

Stylish and rugged, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and 2018 Lexus GX 460 bring much to the table. If you’re a luxury SUV shopper near San Diego or Escondido, you’ve likely heard of one or both of these family vehicles. The Lexus GX makes a name for itself with features like:

• 301-hp 4.6L V8 engine
• 6-speed automatic
• Maximum cargo volume of 64.7 cubic feet
• Maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds
• 15 mpg city/18 mpg highway rating

Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 counters with:

• 302-hp 3.5L V6 engine
• 7-speed automatic
• Maximum cargo volume of 80.3 cubic feet
• Maximum towing capacity of 6,600 pounds
• 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway rating

Mercedes-Benz of Temecula has put together a quick comparison, giving you an idea of what to expect from the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 vs. the 2018 Lexus GX.

Performance, MPG, & Towing

The 2018 Lexus GX 460 features a 301-hp 4.6L V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 comes with a 302-hp 3.5L V6 engine and a 7-speed automatic, offering a blend of capability and handling. In fact, the GLE SUV’s engine can tow up to 6,600 pounds, while the Lexus GX 460 SUV’s top towing capacity comes in at 100 pounds less. Despite its mechanical strength, the GLE 350 nets an impressive 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway rating, outdoing the GX 460’s 15 mpg city/18 mpg highway score.

Interior Style & Comfort

If you’re considering the GLE 350 vs. the Lexus GX, chances are you’re in the market for leading-edge comfort and convenience. Both cabins greet drivers and passengers with a warm welcome; however, the more accommodating GLE 350 boasts the following features as standard equipment:

• Genuine wood trim on the center console, doors, and instrument panel
• 4-way power lumbar support for the driver
• Heated front seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seats

The GX seats two more passengers, but the GLE 350 offers greater cargo volume. Inside the GLE 350, the rear seats fold to reveal 80.3 cubic feet of storage, while the cargo area inside the GX measures in at just 64.7 cubic feet. What’s more, the new GLE includes a retractable cargo soft cover for keeping your belongings protected and well-hidden.

The GLE 350 and GX come furnished with many of the same safety features, including a rearview camera, keyless entry, a garage door opener, heated exterior mirrors, and more. Unlike the Lexus, the Mercedes-Benz contains standard driver assists, including PRESAFE^® to automatically prep the cabin for an imminent collision, and Active Brake Assist to predict frontal collisions using radar. The GLE also includes the following features, which aren’t found on the entry-level Lexus GX:

• Driver attention monitor (ATTENTION ASSIST^®)
• Remote trunk release
• Locking fuel filler door or cap
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Perimeter lighting activated via remote